Mopping and scrubbing machine



Filed May 25. 1925 March 1, 1927.

A L PRINCE MOPPING AND SCRUBBINGMACHINE A TTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

A TZ iN-I ALVA L, rnrivon, or nannies, exas.

orrrne am) SCRUABBING acrame.

Application filed May 25, 1925. Serial No. 32,663

This invention relates to a machine especially constructed for'the purpose of cleaning floors and the like by scrubbing and mopping, and it has for its primary object to provide a machine of the type designated whereby a floor may be conveniently and thoroughly cleansed by electrical energy, by which the said machine is operated.

The invention furthercontemplates the provision of a machine of the character set forth, wherein is eliminated all expensive and costly mechanism, adding simultaneously to its efficiency, thus enabling the mechanism to be employed for use in homes, dwellings and the like, as well as oflice buildings and other places requiring cleanliness.

Other objects and advantages of the invention consist essentially of the novel mechanism and assembly of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by which the foregoing and other objects are attained.

In the drawings: Figure 1 represents a sectional elevational view of the invention, illustrating the motor and driving elements.

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the invention. 7

Figure 4 is a detail View of the mop lifting mechanism, and,

Figure 5 is a detail View of a spiral rotary brush, the type preferably employed by the machine.

In proceeding in accordance with the foregoing, the invention consists primarily of a substantially oblong metal housing 1, mounted upon castors 2 and which is provided with a cover 3, hinged preferably at the front portion of the machine. A compartment 4 is provided in the upper portion of the housing 1 to accommodate a motor 5, adapted to primarily drive the roller 6, seen in Figure 2, by chain drive 6, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. A gear 7 on one end of the roller 6 is arranged to mesh a similar gear 8, disposed upon the end of the roller 9, directly below the first mentioned roller 6; Upon the roller 9 is rigidly mounted another gear 10, around which a chain 11 operates and which is adapted to revolve a shaft 12 upon which the brush 13 is mounted. 7

Between the rollers 6 and 9 a mopping element 14, consisting of a towel or other flexible absorptive material is passed, and which likewise surrounds additional rollers 15, spaced below the described mechanism,

whereby the mopping element 14 may be engagedwith the floor beneath the machine.- These rollers, as well as those indicated by numerals 6 and 9 have their ends mounted in a frame "16, whereby to effect portability thereof,witl r respect to the housing 1,to 'enable "the mopping element '14 to 'beelevated and lowered at will. A'rack 17, as seen in Figure 1, forms 'a bearing in which the roller 6 is rotated, and the shaft thereof is extended through a vertical slot 18 in the frame, as clearly illustrated in Figure 4. Thus, when the screw 17 mentioned previously is actuated, such actuation will cause the roller 6 to draw away from the roller 9, and further rotation of the screw 17 will disengage the gears 7 and 8 and cause the frame 16 to move upwardly to elevate the mopping element from engagement with the floor. function as wringing rollers for the mopping element 14, as the same passes therebetween, and the friction thereof is governed also by manipulation of the screw 17.

It is obvious that a certain amount of play will be encountered during rotation of the mop 14 about the rollers, which may result in the accumulation of dirt and other extraneous matter in the driving mechanism. This disadvantage is obviated'by a sheath 19, disposed over the apex of the mop.

Returning to the scrubbing element, the brush 13 is provided with a hood 20, disposed thereover to prevent throwing of water in the housing 1, which is furnished from a tank 21, situated directly thereabove and arranged to deposit a continuous stream of water through the opening 21 in the top of the hood onto the brush 13 as in Figure 1. This tank is provided with an inlet 22.

Simultaneously with the scrubbing action of the brush 13, the mopping element 14 is lowered to-contact with the floor, whereupon the soapy water or other liquid detergent is absorbed by the mop 14 and wrung by the rollers 6 and 9, as the same is rotated therebetween, the water thus absorbed is caught into the receptacle 28, having its mouth directly beneath the contact point of the rollers .6 and 9, after which, it is withdrawn by the handle 24, through the door for the purpose, hinged upon the side of the housing 1.

It is therefore very obvious that in addition to its practical, efficient and economical These rollers 6 and 9 likewise construction and operation, the machine is further equipped with proper expediences of adjustment whereby to facilitate handling thereof by any person not familiar with mechanism generally. a

The invention has been described as including all the elements of the combination as set forth in the appended claim, and should it be desired to alter or modify any of the elements included in the combination to impart further practicability thereto, it should be understood that the same may be made, provided such changes do not exceed the limit of said claim; without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention.

\Vhatis claimed is:

In a mopping and scrubbing machine having a wheeled housing; a mopping element therefor comprising a rack, screws extending through the top of said housing and supporting said rack, a triangular frame carried by said rack, rollers mounted in the top of said frame and idle rollers mounted at the bottom thereof; the lower of said upper rollers arranged to protrude through the walls of said housing; an endless mopping belt trained about said idle rollers and arranged to pass between said upper rollers, and handle means for rotating the screws on the top of said housing to cause upward 30 moren'ient of said triangular frame.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

ALVA L. PRINCE. 

